–Chapter 90–

Morning sunlight entered through the window at one side of the room. while Dean sat at the edge of his bed counting his money for what was probably the fifth time since last night.

[Thirty thousand quids.]

The stack sat neatly across the mattress while Ash rested beside it like a protective slime gargoyle.

Every few seconds, the little slime stretched tiny tendrils toward the money before pulling back suspiciously as if trying to understand why Dean cared about colored paper so much.

Dean snorted softly. "You can’t eat it buddy."

Ash pulsed once at his statement.

"Neither can I technically, but apparently people get angry when you stop paying for stuff."

The slime slowly rolled onto the pile possessively. Dean shook his head while recounting the notes again.

The betting den situation had gone better than expected. Better because Leona’s name carried enough weight to stop things from turning ugly too quickly.

He was also impressed when he remembered Olsen refusing any split afterward.

"I didn’t bet, mate. That’s your madness," the boy had said. Dean smiled faintly. ’What a good lad.’

Between surviving the Blue Zone, ranking up, and now having actual financial breathing room, things finally felt stable for once.

Which usually meant life was preparing for another problem for him already. That’s how it had always been. The upcoming student week and Hel’Khar were already waiting.

Dean was hiding a few quids into his bag when Ash suddenly bounced toward his shoulder causing him to shift slightly before the slime settled there like it owned the place.

The slime looked healthier now. Its body carried a deeper blue glow than before while faint silver patterns occasionally moved beneath its surface.

The difference between now and the last time he saw the little menace was fairly obvious.

"You’re evolving weirdly again?" Dean raised an eyebrow.

Ash vibrated proudly on his shoulder with an underlying churning sound. "That definitely doesn’t sound dangerous."

***

After getting dressed, Dean grabbed Richard’s assignment papers from the desk.

Hearing the man discuss about the past in the guise of a class was the first thing he had to do today.

Next, would be some library work for the assignment. He needed to rack up those class points, he was still below the Top 100.

He also needed to improve enough academically to satisfy Leona’s little bet.

Though that was in the bag already.

Dean left the dorm shortly afterward while Ash rested lazily against his shoulder.

The academy grounds were calmer today.

Students moved through pathways carrying books while distant conversations filled the whistling air.

Dean walked quietly while thinking about somethings even from yesterday.

Then Ash suddenly tapped against his shoulder with a tendril.

Dean followed the slime’s attention forward.

Then he saw her.

Astrea Vermith walked toward the main entrance building after coming out from presumably their family car.

While nearby students visibly slowed down to stare. Dean stopped walking entirely.

"...What the hell happened?"

Even Ash seemed confused. The slime lifted slightly from his shoulder while tiny ripples moved through its body like it was trying to process the visual information.

Dean had to admit that Astrea looked completely different today. Very sexy if he wanted to be plain and simple.

Her dark skirt hugged her legs closely while a fitted jacket sharpened her already elegant figure.

The material used for both clothing, reflected light softly without looking flashy while her makeup subtly enhanced her pale vampire features.

But the strangest part was not the outfit. It was how nervous she looked wearing it.

A tall, muscular second-year student who was talking with some friends, peeled and approached her almost immediately.

"You look incredible toda—"

He couldn’t even start. Astrea walked past him without even slowing down.

The boy froze awkwardly while several nearby students exchanged stunned looks.

’Ouch’ Dean thought with a almost unseen smile.

She walked directly toward Dean instead. Her gaze going from cold and distant to warmth.

Ash slowly slid halfway behind Dean’s neck like it was hiding from the situation.

"You Traitor," Dean whispered, glancing at the slime.

Astrea stopped in front of him, her red eyes were hard to decipher as her rosy red lips patted.

"Good morning."

Dean faked a yawn. "...Morning."

Awkward silence followed after the exchange while Dean tried not to stare. But he failed at every turn.

Astrea noticed. And she got even more nervous than before.

"You look..." Dean paused breaking the silence mildly. "Different."

Astrea adjusted the sleeve of her jacket lightly. "Raenar suggested it."

"Your vampire support system?"

"She’s my attendant," She defended before nodding once, doing her best to avoid eye contact.

Dean smirked confidently. "She has interesting taste."

Astrea finally looked at him briefly before muttering in a low tone. "That appears to be the problem."

Dean almost laughed. While Ash finally grew some balls. Suddenly stretching a tiny tendril toward Astrea before stopping halfway.

Dean rolled his eyes in disappointment. And the slime tilted slightly as if studying Astrea.

Astrea stared at it curiously. "It behaves strangely around me."

Dean glanced toward Ash. "You and me both."

The slime immediately bounced once in protest. Giving Dean a stern look.

Astrea and Dean eventually started walking toward class together while the surrounding whispers grew louder.

"Is that Astrea Vermith?"

"Why is she dressed like that?" one boy’s eyes followed her like an heat seeking missile.

"She’s with Dean Gray again."

"I think they are friends."

"More like power couple," a brunette girl licked her lips.

Dean also noticed several vampire students openly staring now. Their gazes were a mix of confusion and irritation.

But the weirdest of the bunch were the vampires that seemed genuinely disturbed by how casually Astrea walked beside him.

Meanwhile Astrea looked like someone trying their best to remember what normal looked like.

"So..." she started awkwardly. "How did the betting go?"

Dean immediately narrowed his eyes in shock. "How do you know about that?"

Astrea answered carefully. "People talk."

Dean looked at her flatly. That didn’t check out one bit. Was she still stalking him?

Astrea noticed the confusion in his expression but offered not answers. Instead she smiled.

The smile caught him off guard more than the outfit did.

Because for once it looked genuine. As much as she tried to hide it.

Ash pulsed again curiously while watching the interaction between them.

The slime kept shifting attention between their faces like it was trying to study human behavior for a potential Ph.D.

When they entered class, several students were already pretending not to stare. Some like Andre Truman didn’t look away.

The boy had thought, he’d gotten one over Dean by joining Astrea for the assignment but now the tables had turned in Dean’s favour.

The pair took their usual seats but this time, there was no one between them.

The next hour was for Dean was a battle between Richard’s sneaky glances and potential mind reading.

Astrea constantly brushing strands of red hair behind her ear while writing notes.

Even as Dean did his very best to pay attention to the lecture but that was so difficult when he caught her scent so vividly from their closeness.

And just when Dean thought it would finally end. Richard suddenly looked toward him.

"Mr Gray."

Dean turned his head, well aware that this might be potentially disastrous.

"Do you mind explaining the Resonance cascade theory?"

"Huh?" Dean instinctively murmured.

’What the fuck does that have to do with history?’

This bastard Richard was playing with him and his mind was completely empty.

Beside him, Astrea quietly whispered.

"Verge pressure imbalance causing environmental destabilization between layered dimensional spaces."

Dean repeated it instantly without stuttering for a second.

Richard smirked. "Excellent work, Miss Vermith. Thanks for attending class on his behalf."

A wave of laughter spread across the classroom. And Astrea’s face turned red.

Dean rubbed his forehead while laughing quietly himself..

The class ended a moment later. Dean slung his backpack over his shoulder before glancing toward Astrea.

"Thanks for the save"

"You were not listening," She replied.

"Yeah, I was distracted."

Astrea looked toward him carefully. "By?"

Dean met her eyes directly this time."You."

Her confidence visibly faltered for half a second before recovering quickly.

"Raenar did foresee this." She replied shamelessly.,

Dean sighed dramatically. "Your attendant is taking shots at my mental health. Good to know."

Much to Dean’s surprise, Astrea laughed. And wasn’t just the small polite smile she usually gave.

She actually put her eyes into this one. Her voice was soft and natural. And for a moment, she looked younger than usual.

Ash slowly turned toward her afterward and vibrated happily. Apparently even the slime approved.

"Heading out." Dean said while patting Ash to calm down.

"Where?"

"Library," Dean answered between loud groans.

"Ooh.." She replied, while she slowly got on her feet. "Let’s go together."

’Together?’ Dean thought.

If he believed something was fishy about her earlier. That definitely confirmed it.

’What are you up to Astrea Vermith.’

--End of Chapter--

A/N: Thanks to those who keeps supporting with P.stones and G.ticket. And if you’re not. Please do.

Expect more Chapters in a few